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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Maker’s Mark Cask Strength
Put Jefferson’s Very Small Batch next to Maker’s Mark Cask Strength and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Maker’s Mark Cask Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +28 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$13 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Maker’s Mark Cask Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/7 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 9 out of 10
spice 4/3 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
- Maker’s Mark Cask Strength: Undiluted Maker's, and the version that finally gives the wheated recipe some weight. Dense caramel and honey with real warmth, and one of the more affordable cask-strength bottles anywhere.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a lower price point.
- Go with Maker’s Mark Cask Strength if you want wheated sweetness at full strength for well under what most cask-strength bourbons cost.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, rocks (Maker’s Mark Cask Strength).